Talk About It: The Times We Shared · 4:09pm Dec 25th, 2021
Hiya Folks!
So, I wanted make this post to add a bit of context to my latest story, The Times We Shared. A lot was going through my mind while writing, and I had very little plans for this, but it ended up having a whole lot more than I anticipated. You can just read the story and forget this even exists, if you so wish to, but I still wanted to put this out there, to add a little more depth to it.
WARNING!!!
So, this story was one for the Jinglemas 2021 event. I was given the prompt: Celestia Romance, E or T rated. Could be Principal or Princess - but princess is preferred.
(That's in my own words, but basically the request)
So I think matched their request to the best of my ability. Princess Celestia Romance, E rated fic in general.
I was quite stuck on both the plot of this and the inspiration. The first thing I bumped into was having to write Celestia. I find her difficult to truly understand and to bring her down to the level of the other ponies is quite hard for me. So figuring that out was quite the treat. I did get comfortable after the very first scen was finished, so no issues with that afterwards.
Then came the ship, yes I did work backwards, to some sense. I looked through Celestia ships, and couldn't find one that I personally knew to write for. Then I came across DisLestia, and my issue was immediately remedied.
I ship FlutterCord more than DisLestia, any and everyday. So that gave me the idea to make this a sort of sad/drama fic. My initial thoughts on this was to make it a happy ending Romance fic. Nothing more. I'm happier with how it turned out though.
Then was the whole plot of it. I was sure about what to do, but not some how to proceed. A few scenes was awkward to put together or I just didn't know how to make it seem believable. It took me a three or four re-reads to get myself in the flow once again. Though that helped reduce the amount of errors the story had, so I'm perfectly fine with it too.
After working out the scenes then came something I'm particularly decent at. I wouldn't say awesome or amazing, but decent is a good word. I'm decent at coming up with a set up, which I hope was done as best as possible.
Once the set up was in place, came the hardest part of a story, for me while writing; the pay off. I wasn't sure at first, but the thing with Rarity seemed to just click in my head, like I had known it all this time, or something. As I wrote, that bit just flowed out quite effortlessly, good Be cause it was one part of the story where I was perfectly settled in my comfort zone.
So that's it right? That's all that went into this simple story for Hearths Warming, right?
If I said that, I'd be a big, fat liar.
There were a few things dottted about, to make this feel more than just what's on the surface. To give it a bit of a reality, instead of just happenings that occur simply to the protagonist. Basically; I wanted the world around her to feel as real as possible.
There were bits with the Royal sisters, a bit with CheesiePie and of course, a bit with AppleDash. The AppleDashy moment was just for my own apeal, I wanted something to add to this, that would feel like something I personally would have writen, even if the Junglemas event hadn't prompted it out. Oh and yes, I plan on releasing a follow up to that scene with Applejack asking for Dash. There definitely will be a sequel, of sorts, to expand on that.
Now for one of the sort of broken couple in this; RariPie. I initially wanted to go with RariJack, but completely backed out on that when I realized; I'd be having to make myself actually, commit to and write RariJack. That isn't happening.
So I went with RariPie instead. You could ask me why I didn't go with Flarity, as it is a ship I do very see working out it canon, even. Well to those who ask that question, I say; haven't we gotten enough bashing off FlutterCord for one day?
Besides I think it fit well with the scene we had of CheesiePie a little before that. I felt right to me, I'm not sure why though, it just did, and I tend to with my gut more often than not, so yea.
Now for something that was sprinkled in while editing; comedy. I didn't think I would fit even one joke in here, but I think I mamanged just plenty to get one chuckle at least one per scene. I have a few that i can remember, just because they were fun to think up off. Oh and the Cheese not knowing who Dash is, was not meant to show his ignorance or anything! It was more to show that he hadn't quite matched up the nicknames with the real names just yet. I like to believe Cheese wasn't very close with every one of Pinkie’s friends, just cause she has so many, and they don't meet all that often either. So yea, I don't want people thinking my interpretation of Cheese is an ignorant moron, that's far from the case!
So overall, I will say this; The Time We Shared, was one I had put great thought into... in like maybe a week. Alright I'll admit, the first scene, with Luna and Celestia was all I had until the one week reminder we got from the Jinglemas staff. So all this I just mentioned, may or may not have been put together in a week... buuuut, I assure you, it's still not a bad fic!
Now that's enough of me rambling! Thank you to any who read this, read the fic, or simply enjoy me as Pegasus friend on the internet. I hope all of you A Happy Hearths Warming, or A Very Merry Christmas if you prefer. Happy Holidays Folks!
MSz Out!
